A website can be reachable at www.example.com but inaccessible at example.com, or technically indexable while still absent from useful search results. Those are different problems and must be diagnosed separately.
First: prove that both versions of the domain work
Open both the bare domain and its www version, over HTTPS. One should issue a permanent 301 redirect to the chosen canonical host. If the root fails to resolve, fix DNS before discussing content ranking.
An apex A/ALIAS record and www CNAME are usually configured independently at the DNS provider. Do not delete MX, SPF, DKIM or other email records while making this adjustment.
- Test http and https on both hosts.
- Record each status code and final destination.
- Check for certificate and conflicting A/AAAA records.
Second: check the actual index state
Use Google Search Console URL Inspection for the canonical homepage and a representative service page. A submitted sitemap does not mean every URL is indexed; the tool distinguishes discovered, crawled, excluded and indexed states.
Compare the inspected URL to the selected canonical and look for “noindex”, robots blocking, soft-404 and rendering issues. If the site requires client-side JavaScript for essential copy, Google may not see the full answer immediately.
- Submit the correct sitemap URL once.
- Fix actual exclusion reasons instead of requesting indexing repeatedly.
- Verify Google-selected canonical on important URLs.
Third: strengthen branded identity signals
A query for a brand name is not the same as a product keyword. Search engines must connect the brand spelling, website and trusted third-party profiles. Inconsistent descriptions or an older social profile can outrank a newly launched domain.
Use the same name and domain across the website, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Google Business Profile and relevant reputable directories. Add meaningful Organization structured data and an About page with verifiable experience.
- Use a descriptive homepage title that includes the brand.
- Make your service offering obvious in opening text.
- Keep official profiles updated and link them to the real website.
Fourth: build relevance without buying spam links
Create a few genuinely useful resources explaining common customer problems, then seek editorial mentions and references from real clients, professional associations and relevant industry publications. Links are signals when earned in context; a large batch of low-quality directory links can be counterproductive.
After the fixes, measure changes in Search Console by branded and non-branded queries over time. Search ranking has no switch that forces first-page placement.
- Use internal links between relevant service pages and guides.
- Add unique expertise and real case-study evidence with client permission.
- Review data after Google has crawled the updated pages.
Common questions
Does Google Search Console verification mean my pages are indexed?
No. Verification proves access to the property; indexing is a separate process.
Should the root and www domains both be indexed?
No. Choose one canonical version and redirect the other.
Will switching hosting instantly improve brand ranking?
No. Hosting can fix crawlability and speed, but trust, relevance and indexing still take time.
Official references & further reading
Platform guidance may change. These are primary-source references for additional checks.